Remember when we introduced you to ‘The Duck’ – the Lancia Stratos HF Group IV whose story was written not on European rally stages, but rather on the United States’ most famous road-racing circuits? After falling into a state of sad disrepair, we took the decision to restore this veteran of American endurance motorsport back to its former glory.

Said restoration is now well underway. You can read about stage one by clicking here, but we’re progressing at such a rate that we thought it high time to give you another update. Most pertinently, having been comprehensively rebuilt with all-new internals by the famed Baldi twins in Turin, this Stratos’ legendary Dino V6 sang for the first time in decades when it was recently tested on the dyno. The engine ran without issue, which is a small win we’ll happily bank at this stage of the restoration process. We wish you could hear the soul-stirring bark – our ears have only just stopped bleeding…

Meanwhile, every inch of the chassis of ‘The Duck’ has been forensically inspected and examined on the rotisserie at the metalwork specialist. Because Anatoly Arutunoff took delivery of this Stratos as a ‘standard’ HF Stradale and had it upgraded to Group IV road-racing specification in the United States, there are many unique aspects to the car, especially with the chassis. And these are aspects we are determined to preserve.

Similarly, it’s important to note the brief for this project is not to restore ‘The Duck’ to ‘as-new’ condition. This Lancia’s storied racing history is so fundamental to its identity that to wipe all signs of its use would, we feel, be misjudged. As such, the plan is to maintain these benign signs of use while comprehensively overhauling the mechanical condition of the car, safeguarding its future for years to come.

Despite the fact ‘The Duck’ was raced hard by ‘Toly’ for seven years and contested a staggering six editions of the torturous Daytona 24 Hours, its careful and considered storage in recent years has resulted in a chassis that’s in remarkably good condition and will require only minimal repair. These last few weeks have also been spent restoring the four BBS split-rim wheels, while the other mechanical components of the car have also been sent for initial inspection.

The next stage of the restoration process will be to send the chassis for cataphoresis. This electrochemical surface treatment is carried out to protect the metal. While it would not have been applied in period, it will be entirely undetectable after the car has been painted and effectively prevent any future corrosion. Following the cataphoresis, the Stratos’ chassis and body will be sent to the body-shop for a final fit, before primer and paint.

We’re brimming with excitement about the ultimate plan for ‘The Duck’, which is to return the car to the Daytona International Speedway for the HSR Classic Daytona in 2025. We can neither confirm nor deny that certain members of the Girardo & Co. crew are already growing their hair in an attempt to emulate ‘Toly’ Arutunoff. Until the next update, folks. 

Photos: Gabriele Natalini for Girardo & Co.